George Washington University

George Washington University

Our University actively engages Washington, D.C., and the world. Our location in the heart of Washington places us at the core of U.S. government, policy and law. We sit where the worlds of science, technology, media and the arts converge. Our students and faculty have the unparalleled opportunity to study and work alongside leaders and practitioners in every discipline, to take part in the interchanges that shape our community and the world.

The George Washington University was created in 1821 through an Act of Congress, fulfilling George Washington’s vision of an institution in the nation’s capital dedicated to educating and preparing future leaders.

Today, GW is the largest institution of higher education in the District of Columbia. We have more than 20,000 students—from all 50 states, the District and more than 130 countries—studying a rich range of disciplines: from forensic science and creative writing to international affairs and computer engineering, as well as medicine, public health, the law and public policy.

GW comprises three campuses—Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon in Washington, D.C., and the GW Virginia Science and Technology Campus in Ashburn, Va.—as well as several graduate education centers in the metropolitan area and Hampton Roads, Va.

Colleges & Schools

The GW academic experience is firmly rooted in each of our ten undergraduate and graduate colleges and schools. Each school has a distinct identity, yet all work together to create a dynamic and interdisciplinary learning environment. They are listed below in the order of their founding.

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
With a rich and diverse curriculum, the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences combines the advantages of a small liberal arts institution with opportunities for internships in a stimulating urban environment and for professional education in many fields. The college is also home to:

The School of Media and Public Affairs

The Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration
School of Medicine and Health Sciences

The School of Medicine and Health Sciences is committed to improving the health and well-being of our local, national and global communities. Our highly respected medical education program is based on a belief in healing with quality, compassion and innovation.

GW Law
GW Law has a broad and diverse curriculum as well as some of the nation’s finest legal scholars. Our students gain excellent analytical, research, writing and advocacy skills that prepare them to join the top ranks in the legal profession.

School of Engineering and Applied Science
Our School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) offers a high quality education along with the opportunity to be part of Washington, D.C.’s active science and engineering community through unique internships and partnerships with federal agencies and high-tech companies.

Graduate School of Education and Human Development
Our Graduate School of Education and Human Development is known for its innovative work in fields ranging from infant special education to human resource development. We are focused on shaping the future.

School of Business
The School of Business offers an excellent education in business and management. Our international business, finance and entrepreneurship/small business programs are renowned. The School prides itself on offering students flexibility in their programs of study.

Elliott School of International Affairs
At the Elliott School, our aim is to make our world a better place. Along with renowned faculty, we offer an incomparable location in the heart of Washington, D.C., the most interesting place in the world to study international affairs.

School of Public Health and Health Services
The School of Public Health and Health Services is the only school of public health in the nation’s capital and one of only 39 accredited public health schools in the United States. Our students come from across the country and around the globe, united by the shared purpose of wanting to make a difference.

College of Professional Studies
The College of Professional Studies designs academic programs with the needs of adult learners and working professionals in mind. We offer innovative programs specifically created to prepare our students to excel in the fast-paced, rapidly changing 21st century workplace. The college is also home to:

The Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM)

School of Nursing
The School of Nursing is home to a dynamic array of on-campus and online academic programs designed to provide students with the clinical skills needed to provide optimal care as well as the critical thinking and leadership skills needed to strengthen and transform health care systems, settings, policies, and practice

Undergraduate Programs

GW offers a broad range of academic offerings, with more than 2,000 undergraduate courses in areas ranging from anthropology to systems engineering. GW has an extensive library collection, cutting-edge technology resources, and faculty members dedicated to our mission of academic excellence.

Explore Undergraduate Programs
Explore our range of undergraduate programs to help you identify subjects of interest and build a major or minor course of study. You can browse undergraduate subjects by academic interest area or view a full list of all GW undergraduate subjects, including:

As a graduate or professional student at GW, you will engage in research- and practice-based programs that extend far beyond our classrooms and campuses and contribute to your personal, professional, and intellectual growth. With more than 200 master's, doctoral, and graduate certificate programs, in numerous locations throughout Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland, you can find the program that is right for you.

Explore our Graduate and Professional Programs

Explore our range of graduate and professional programs to help you identify subjects of interest. Browse by academic interest areas, school, degree type, location, and schedule options, or view a full list of all GW graduate and professional subjects, including: